DENTAL PRACTICE LEADERSHIP 101
Becoming a good leader does not require being dictatorial or hierarchical but is much more subtle in nature. Being a leader and being perceived as a leader has more with gaining the respect and admiration of those you lead through example. It requires consistency, accepting one’s responsibility, making decisions and standing by those decisions, supporting those you lead in every and all situations, not running from confrontation and controversy and being open to and willing to evaluate suggestions and feedback whether positive or negative if they will benefit all parties concerned. Note that focusing on being liked was not mentioned. It is better to be respected and a good leader can accomplish both. Good leaders control their situation rather than situations always controlling them and the benefits include less stress, less staff turnover and a smoother running practice.
REDUCING STRESS AND MINIMIZING MISTAKES IN THE HIRING PROCESS
Staff related issues were near the top of dental practice stressors in our two national surveys on DENTAL PRACTICE STRESS. Constant staff turnover and dysfunctional staff attitudes and relationships are an emotional and financial drain on all concerned. This course examines the common mistakes dentists make regarding the hiring of staff and presenets a format to be followed to minimize future problems that can result in a dysfunctional staff atmosphere and affect the function of a practice as a whole. These methods are proven to be effective. You will be given a step by step formula to follow, considerations to be addressed, prior planning to the hiring process and thinking outside the usual realm. You will be told how getting the staff involved is essential for success. We also discuss the issues regarding counseling when necessary of current staff, how to handle grievance procedures and how to minimize having the firing of an individual effect your unemployment rates in the future.
Perception to most people is reality. If they think you are the best dentist, the best practice, then you must be. Both Timex and Rolex watches keep good time. Timex makes some really good looking watches. So what is the difference in perception by their owners. A Timex, while a good watch, is just a watch. A Rolex on the other hand is a treasured keepsake, a symbol of the owners above average discretion, something of great value to be guarded, cherished and lovingly passed on to future generations. Are you just perceived as just another dentist who, if you retire, became disabled or die tomorrow your patients would simply seek another practice for their next 6 month check up or would your no longer practicing be seen as a great personal loss with people sure they would never find another dentist like you and fearful of what lay ahead insofar as future dental care. Do your patients leave your office after each appointment feeling their experience from beginning to end was special and they cannot wait to tell others about you and how fortunate they are to be your patient. It is really fairly simple to accomplish and is 100 per cent internal marketing utilizing our Touchpoint Choreography approach. . In this course Dr. Stough and Boyd Stough discuss how to get the entire team on board to accomplish a guaranteed winning , proven concept by our clients.
PRACTICE PERCEPTION: TIMEX OR ROLEX?
STRESS LESS STAFF
Staff related issues were ranked high as a stressor in our two national surveys on Dental Practice Stress. All staff related stress cannot be totally eliminated but it can be minimized to a great degree, This course examines the primary causes of staff related stressors as defined from our National surveys on dental practice stress. What are the main causes of staff related stress and the solutions? We examine many of the identified stressors and how to eliminate or significantly reduce them to create a more cohesive and smoothly running operation. We look at the overall work environment, effectiveness of the doctor’s leadership style, poor hiring procedures, long term employee’s negative effect, out of control schedule and more and discuss how to address all of these issues in an effective and proven manner. You as the dentist do not have to be subject to this loss of control and can realize the practice atmosphere you always dreamed of.
SEMINAR COSTS
Half Day Presentation any subject $1,500 plus travel and accommodations
Full day Presentations any two subjects $2,500 plus travel and accommodations
*Course presentations within 100 mile radius of Atlanta , Ga require only one nights accommodations
Dr. Gary Stough is an Honors Graduate of the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry, General Dentist, past Editor and President of the Georgia AGD, PACE CE provider and President of Partners in Practice Dental Consultants.
As a former Marine Corp Major and combat veteran Dr. Stough understands the importance of good leadership and communication in effectively accomplishing any mission. Our mission as private practitioners is to ultimately be successful not only financially but to do it in such a way as to be less stressed, more fulfilled personally and in control of situations rather than letting the situations along the way control us. That pertains not only to our practice life but also to the positive effect it has on our life away from the office.
Private practice dentistry is first and foremost a business. To be successful, one must run it like a business. A great fallacy perpetuated in the past is that good, even outstanding clinical skills assure practice success. Great clinical expertise, while important, without a dentist also being a good communicator, leader and business person will result in a dentist falling short of their potential and almost always experience high stress levels, dysfunctional and unfulfilled business and personal lives, addictions and burnout.
Sadly, dental schools do a poor job of preparing the new dentist for the real world. Most new graduates have never had a real job or position of responsibility or opportunity to acquire leadership skills or learn how to run a business.
Dr. Stough concentrates his seminars on important non-clinical topics that are effective and can make a difference not only in attaining greater practice success but in enjoying a better quality of life as a result.
